PARTY

In the middle of talking about rows
and making up, one woman's voice rises
clearly above the rest:," its all very well
to say one goes on, and how it lasts,
but don't you see; every time he doesn't
understand;something within dies?"
All chatter is silenced for a while; then.
someone starts on something else,and things
pick up again; the hostess announces dinner,
and the party goes on in its usual way.

-LATA RAMASWAMY